Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement

At Hope Services, we strive to create an environment that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We embrace diversity within our team, and we recognize that a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative environment that delivers better results. We are committed to creating a culture of equity, inclusion and respect that promotes individual growth and a sense of value and acceptance for everyone.

DEI Vision

At Hope Services, our vision is to continually reflect, inspire, and cultivate a sustainable culture that values wisdom, engagement, and lifelong learning. We are committed to building an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees, individuals served, and community partners. Through this commitment, Hope promotes equality, personal choice, dignity, and respect for all.

During FY 2025–2026, the DEI Committee continued to expand its impact through initiatives designed to educate, recognize, and amplify diverse perspectives across the organization. Highlights included publishing seven months of DEI Bites educational content, expanding the DEI Spotlight and Blog initiative with multiple staff features published through Marketing, and recognizing two employees with the annual DEI Champion Award from a record number of nominations. These initiatives reflect Hope's ongoing commitment to fostering belonging, increasing awareness, celebrating inclusion, and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the organization's culture and everyday practices.

Successes

Developed Mission and Vision statements.
Increased marketing efforts related to DEI initiatives.
Developed a membership selection process, including an application, interview questions and a selection committee.
Increased membership from 6 to 24 members and increased diversity within our committee.
Developed and finalized a Committee Charter, which outlines responsibilities, roles, membership teams, membership process, onboarding new members, meeting protocols, norms and agreements, decision-making, and accountability and communication.
Partnered with Inclusion counts, a consulting firm, to assess our progress towards DEI initiatives. Based on this assessment, Inclusion Counts developed an equity report, published in February 2021.
Developed a 3-year strategic plan.
Developed four subcommittees. Members meet monthly to discuss pending tasks and next steps.

Sub-committee #1: Diverse Staff

Hope Services recognizes that diverse staff representation is essential to meeting the needs of our diverse clients.

Goal: To recruit, hire and retain culturally competent and diverse staff. Diversity refers to race, ethnicity, gender identity, faith, age, ability, sexual orientation, appearance, socioeconomic class, age and life experience.  

Sub-committee #2: Continued Learning

Hope Services recognizes that staff and clients require strong DEI onboarding & ongoing professional development around diversity, equity & inclusion to respond effectively to bias in every instance, every time and - to ensure staff have clarity, knowledge of how to include diverse perspectives & voice.

Goal: Increase professional development for Hope Services staff and clients on diversity, equity, inclusion & anti-racism. 

Sub-committee #3: Engagement & Interactions

Hope Services is committed to creating a culture where all people are welcomed, valued, and celebrated - with consideration and appreciation for differences.

Goal: Create a positive work climate where staff and clients feel valued, celebrated, accepted and affirmed. 

Sub-committee #4: Policies & Systems

Hope Services recognizes that new policies & systems will be necessary to dismantle established systems of inequity and enhance DEI efforts.

Goal: Develop a broadly adapted, shared commitment to advancing company equity and establishing equitable policies and systems. 

DEI Committee

Name	Title
Allison Yant	VP, I/DD Programs
Blanca Garcia	Human Resource Generalist
Wendi Henderson	Coordinator, Day Program
Jessica Guzman	Coordinator, Employment Program
Kazim Ahan	Assistant Manager, Behavioral Health
Abby Arrevalo	Coordinator, Employment Program
Johnny Ortiz Gomez	Community Support Facilitator, Day Program
Jackie Lance	Coordinator, Independent Living Services
Eva Black	Assistant Manager, Behavioral Health
Cathy Bouchard	Specialty Director
Zen Chamberlain	Community Support Facilitator, Day Program
Jennifer Joy F. Calaunan	Community Support Facilitator, Day Program
Benon Kalisa	Assistant Director
Khrysta Martinez	Community Support Facilitator, Day Program
Hayley Malcolm	Assistant Director